NEWSLETTERS

NEW Posts in our Website

1. You Tube videos ACCSD2. ACCSD to participate at Festival of the Sea on Dec. 02, 03, 2011 at Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.3. Concept paper for new proposed marine protected areas, link at top of this sidebar.

NOTICES

Check our "What's New" page for more information.

Lori Maddox from ELAW and colleagues visit ACCSD.

Contact

Questions or commentsPlease email us ataccsdbz@gmail.com

Office Hours

Our office is located at 63 Barrier Reef Dr. San Pedro Town above Love Belize Gift Shop. Office hours from Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

ACCSD

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Our mission is to support and promote sustainable development on Ambergris Caye and in its surrounding area through education, awareness and citizen involvement. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present while protecting and enhancing natural resources without compromising the livelihood of this and future generations.

Executive committee:

Chairman - Elito Arceo

Vice Chair - Miguel Alamilla

Secretary - Chris Beaumont

Treasurer - Sarah Dalsin

Chair of Media/Communications committee - Catherine Paz

Chair of Education/Community committee - Kirah Forman

Chair of Fundraising committee - Sarah Dalsin

Co-Chairs of Program committee - Miguel Alamilla/Chris Beaumont

Directors - Billy Leslie, Rebbeca Arceo, Abner Marin, Ernesto Gomez.

The ACCSD was created by residents of the island who see an urgent need for planned sustainable use of our coastal and marine resources. Members of the organization come from varied backgrounds and professions but share a common interest of conserving the environment through proper planning as responsible stewards.

Ambergris Caye is an important tourist destination in the Belize, catering to approximately 60% of overnight tourist arrival in the country. However, the success of the tourism industry on the island has attracted mega-developments that do not confer with the ecotourism tourism product being marketed for Ambergris Caye. This uncontrolled development now threatens the long term health of our coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Additionally, it will affect the livelihood of many locals who depend on a healthy coastal and marine environment for their sustenance.

A perfect example of this is the proposed South Beach Mega development which proposes to alter over 500 acres of perfectly healthy and productive mangrove wetlands. The proponents of this project fail to understand the vital role that mangrove play by providing a habitat and nursery for many species of fish and invertebrates; serving as a breakwater that dissipate wave energy and help stabilize the shoreline; filter nutrients and pollutants that would otherwise contaminate the reef. South Beach development is not consistent with sustainable tourism. The most dangerous aspect of this project is its proximity to Hol Chan, which is important to the island’s economy, both today and in the future.

The group is also calling for a master plan for Ambergris Caye. We need planned development that follows sustainable practices of resource use. Each new development must be considered within the context of the sensitive nature of our island’s environment and the effects of previous developments.

Coral Reefs, Sea grass meadows and mangrove wetlands are all interconnected and each is dependent on the other for their survival. Therefore it is important that we develop initiative that promote sustainable use of our coastal resources and guarantee long term benefits to our community.

Current Goals:

Have the "Master Plan" for the island formulated and made into law.

Assist Government agencies in monitoring all developments on the island to ensure they follow the laws of Belize.